Port Adelaide’s Riley Bonner embracing chance to play in SANFL grand final against Sturt

Port Adelaide’s Riley Bonner has no doubt the players returning from the AFL are excited at the chance to play in the SANFL grand final against Sturt at Adelaide Oval on Sunday.

Port Adelaide’s Riley Bonner. Picture: Sarah Reed

THE attitude of Port Adelaide’s AFL players returning to the state league side for Sunday’s grand final clash against Sturt at Adelaide Oval cannot be questioned on the evidence of Riley Bonner’s words.

Bonner, Dougal Howard, Todd Marshall and Jake Neade are back in the SANFL side after playing in the AFL elimination final loss to West Coast and Bonner said they were all embracing the opportunity.

“It is always good to play at the highest level,” Bonner said. “I got to start and it was hot early, I enjoyed it.

“I’m thankful I got the opportunity and I’m thankful to play this weekend. I love to come back and play for the Magpies. They are good blokes to be around and you can’t fault the group. We are all one big club at Alberton so you don’t feel out of place.”

Bonner missed the opportunity to play in West Adelaide’s 2015 premiership after hurting his foot against Port in the reserves in the final minor round. He wore a moon boot for eight weeks and was then drafted to the Power.

Blending into the Alberton environment was made easier by the Power’s decision to also draft his Bloods teammate Will Snelling, who played in the grand final triumph.

“We fed off each other in the early days when we were getting used to new faces,” he said. “Because we are close mates, it made the journey easier with him.”

Bonner recently signed a two-year contract extension.